Clethra alnifolia (sweet pepperbush, Anne Bidwell, or summersweer), is a species of flowering plant in the genus Clethra of the family Clethraceae, native to eastern North America from southern Nova Scotia and Maine south to northern Florida and western Texas. It is a deciduous shrub growing 1.5-3m tall. The leaves are obovate to oblong, 4-10cm long and 2-4cm broad, with a serrated margin; they are green, turning yellow-golden during the autumn. The flowers are white or very pale pink, 5-10mm in diameter, and have a sweet, somewhat cloying fragrance, making them attractive to bumblebees. The flowers are produced in racemes up to 15cm long and 2cm broad in late summer, depending on the cultivar. The "pepper" part of the common name derives from the mature fruits, capsules which have a vague resemblance to peppercorns; however, with no element of spiciness. Clethra does not appear to be susceptible to any serious disease or insect problem. Plants can be pruned in early spring, since flowers are born on new growth.
Aside from its obvious importance in natural communities and its value as a garden plant, few directly utilitarian aspects have been recorded for Clethra alnifolia; it appears to have neither culinary nor medicinal properties, despite its common name. It is, however, highly attractive to bees and is therefore considered an important honey plant.
Clethra alnifolia grows in wet forests, pine flatwoods, wetlands, bogs, and can be seen alongside woodland streams. It prefers a neutral to acid soil. The Nova Scotia population is small and endangered.
Clethra alnifolia is typically used as a shrub for natural gardens, or is placed alongside a stream of pond in order to delay erosion. Limiting its landscaping use is the fact that it does not leaf out until very late in the season. Several cultivars have been selected for garden use, including "September Beauty". The cultivars "Ruby Spice", with strongly pink flowers, and "Hummingbird" for its dwarf size, have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
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